Total pages in book: 94
Estimated words: 87961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87961 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 440(@200wpm)___ 352(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“Keep walking,” he snaps at me, pushing the back of my head.
I step toward the next door. Everything in me is screaming at me to run, but I can’t, or at least I wouldn’t get very far.
My hands are shaking, and my heart is banging against my ribs. My chest seizes, and for a moment, I feel as though I can’t breathe. The only thought I can muster is the thought of what the hell am I about to walk into? Why am I down here? What are they going to do to me? I just hope they make it quick.
He opens the door, pushing me through it. My entire body freezes. I can’t breathe. I can’t move. I’m going to die.
It’s so cold in here I can see my breath in front of my face. The walls are covered in plastic sheeting, and the room is empty except for a single aluminum chair in the middle and a metal trolley set against the far wall. I can’t see what’s on it, and I’m pretty sure I don’t want to. Right underneath the chair, set into the concrete, is a drain.
This is the point where I freak the fuck out. I turn on my heels and I try to run. I make it to the door before I’m grabbed by the hair.
I fight.
I fight with everything I have left in me. I claw at his face and bite the grimy arms restraining me. I scream, begging for someone to save me, although I know no one will. I bite him again; this time, the cooper taste of blood trickles into my mouth, and the man holding me growls. He swings his arm back, smacking me across the face and sending me sprawling across the floor as blood fills my mouth.
“Fucking bitch,” he roars, shaking his bleeding hand.
I don’t have the strength to even save myself. I’ve never felt so helpless in my life. Tears of frustration run down my face as my chest heaves in desolation.
“Get the fuck up, slut!” he shouts at me.
I don’t move, and he strikes me again. I feel my lip burst, and pain explodes through my face as blood streams down my chin. My head is spinning from the force of the blow.
“I said, get the fuck up,” he says in a threatening voice. I can’t get up, my vision is dipping in and out. I think I’m going to pass out. I groan and brace myself on my hands and knees. The next thing I know, I’m hit with ice-cold water. All the air leaves my lungs in a rush. My heart almost leaps from my chest as I scream. Fuck!
“Up. Now!” He tosses a bucket to the side of the room.
I can’t move. My limbs won’t respond. I start to shiver, and my teeth are chattering.
“What the fuck, Bob!” A glimmer of hope blossoms in my chest at the sound of Caleb’s voice. He appears in the doorway, wearing a smart shirt and suit trousers. He steps closer and drops to a crouch in front of me. He grabs my chin and his eyes lower to my swollen and bleeding lip.
“Ria.” He draws in a heavy breath. “I’m sorry.”
I peer through the wet strands of hair hanging in front of my face. My eyes lock with his, and I can see nothing but regret swimming in them. I trust Caleb, but right now, I’m realising what a mistake it was to ever trust anybody. He helps me up and tells me to sit on the chair. The cold metal bites against the backs of my bare legs. It’s so frigid in here I can’t stop shaking.
Caleb takes my wrists, pulling them behind my body and fastening them to the back of the chair with rope. His thumb brushes over my wrist gently, and I hear him release a soft sigh. I can’t take this. I hang my head, shaking as tears stream down my cheeks. I don’t want to die. At this moment all I can hope for is pity.
“Please, help me,” I murmur.
“I’m sorry,” Caleb whispers, sweeping his hand over my back before he joins the other guy.
“He told you not to fucking touch her,” Caleb hisses, his voice deepening. He looks so scrawny standing in front of the brute of a man, but he projects some of his brother’s power.
“What the hell does it matter? Not like she’s getting outta here,” the guy grumbles, still inspecting the bite mark on his arm.
Caleb glances over at me, and with one look at his pity-filled eyes I know I’m not getting out of here. No one can save me now. I will never be a doctor. I will never get married, or have kids. This is my shitty destiny, to die in a freezing cold room, surrounded by people who couldn’t care less about me. Surrounded by utter monsters. I drop my chin to my chest. I’m shivering so hard it’s causing my muscles to ache.